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1 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 1 NEWS FROM WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB Since 1972 December 2008 Wines evaluated last month: 532 Rejected: 428 TApproved: 104 Selected: 6 What s New hree be the sparkling wine in This Month? things I shall Argentina. We think they see page 2 never attain; are achieving this goal. envy, content, Cheers! and sufficient Send Us Your Champagne. LIMITED SERIES Address! send to: Val@womclub.com Is this cool or what? LOG ONTO www. wineofthemonthclub.com and click on Live Help and you will be connected instantly to one of our Membership Service Reps! Gift Orders see page 9 New Member Application for a Friend see page 15 -DOROTHY PARKER REGULAR SERIES Fiore d Arancio, NV. Orange Muscat. California This sweet Muscat will force you to save room for dessert. Truly nectar of the gods, this is special, conversationpiece wine for all your holiday dinner parties. South Extreme, NV. Extra Brut Sparkling. Mendoza, Argentina This sparkling wine for your holiday parties is made with French expertise in Argentina. The winemakers goal is to make the best INSIDE THIS MONTH WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB NEWS 1 WHAT S NEW? 2 REG. ORANGE MUSCAT, NV. FIORE D ARANCIO 3 REG. EXTRA BRUT SPARKLING, NV. SOUTH EXTREME 4 LTD. BRUT, VEUEVE AMBAL CRÉMANT 5 LTD. LATE HARVEST CHARDONNAY, NORTON 6 Veuve Ambal Crémant, Brut. Rully, Burgundy Veuve Ambal is dedicated to constant progress and is the leader in the production of sparkling wine in Burgundy. Vintage dated and full of flavor, this wine will start 2009 in style. Happy New Year! Norton, Late Harvest Chardonnay. Mendoza, Argentina This is a naturally sweet wine with a delicate flavor. The winery prides itself on working with nature and merely perfecting what is grown in the vineyard. This Late Harvest Chardonnay is delicious. ORDER FORMS 7 10 WOMC WINE RATING SCHEDULE 11 MEMBER COMMENTS 12 ADVENTURES IN GOOD FOOD 13 REGULAR & LTD TASTING NOTES 14, 11 WORD ON THE STREET 16 Join us on the Web:

2 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 2 A NOTE FROM YOUR CELLARMASTER Paul Kalemkiarian I am so grateful for my members, customers and staff. We work very hard as an organization to bring you the best product we can for the best price we can. Each staff member has his/her responsibility to make sure you members are more than satisfied. So thank you to my staff and my members for without either of you, we would not know each other. Paul Kalemkiarian FREE SHIPPING on Everything in our gift catalog! THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING When you give the Wine of the Month Club membership the recipient receives a wonderful reminder of your generosity every month, not just once a year! For the cost of the wine, your co-worker, friend, or business contact will receive two great selections each month, delivered to their door with all the information inside the newsletter to make their enjoyment of the wines that much better. One call does it all! CLASSY GIFT BASKETS We have a wide assortment of beautifully arranged gift baskets that will fit any taste and budget. You can select food only, wine only, or food and wine combos. Avoid unpleasant traffic, crowds, parking and waiting. Don t worry about wrapping your gifts or the hassles of shipping and insurance. We do it all for you! Plus Free Shipping! LOOKING GOOD Your gift is carefully wrapped in a linen burgundy gift box and delivered with a hand-written gift card. When you send a Wine of the Month Club gift, the recipient receives a beautifully presented gift showing your thoughtfulness. SAVE MONEY You can be assured that your gift has a value beyond your actual cost. The purchasing power of the Wine of the Month Club is your guarantee that you will always be sending the best for less. We will be shipping November and December wines early so you can have them in time for all your holiday gatherings. We encourage you to reorder as soon as possible to avoid the last minute rush. 2 Membership in THE WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB is open to anyone with an interest in and an appreciation for superb wines... and excellent wine values. Membership is FREE. For more info write: WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB P.O. Box , Arcadia, CA Or call: WINE (9463) or (626) FAX: (626) Visit us at: Newsletter written by: Elizabeth Schweitzer, Master Sommelier

3 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 3 DOMESTIC SELECTION F iore D Arancio is the Italian expression for flower of the orange. Orange Muscat is from the family of Muscat grapes. Some studies show that over 200 different kinds of Muscat are grown throughout the world. They re grown for a variety of uses, including wines, raisins, and table grapes. The grapes colors range from white and pink to red and black. Because of the number of varieties and their many differences, some say that Muscat is the oldest varietal used for winemaking, and that most Vitis Vinifera grapes are descendents of the Muscat family. Muscat grapes produce some of the finest dessert wines in the world. A glass of Muscat is best remembered for its sweet floral aroma. In California, Muscat is planted throughout the state. The most planted is Muscat Canelli or White Muscat. The only known vineyard of special Orange Muscat is the Deiner Vineyard near Fresno, California. Winemaker Anthony Riboli sources the grapes for Fiore D Arancio from this vineyard. Anthony is the son of Santo Riboli, president of the famous San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles. The privilege of this exclusive vineyard source is the result of a fifty-year friendship and partnership with the Deiner and Riboli families. Orange Muscat is harvested at 25 Brix. (Degrees Brix is a measurement used to measure the amount of sugars in grapes and wines.) The grapes are fermented in stainless steel. The wine is then fortified with natural grape brandy to stop fermentation and retain the sweetness. The wine is also aged in stainless steel to retain the natural freshness and orange characteristic of the grape. The result is this exquisite wine with a brilliant golden orange color. The aromas assert themselves with vibrant apricot, nectarine, orange peel, and honeysuckle. The wine is full-bodied with healthy acidity and unctuous creamy orange and golden raisin flavors. The finish is lush and lingering. This wine is an ideal accompaniment to a cheese course or an angel food cake. It would also make an exceptional reduction for a savory sauce. Fiore d Arancio Non-vintage Orange Muscat California Color: Brilliant golden orange Nose: Vibrant apricot, nectarine, orange peel, honeysuckle Palate: Full-bodied, healthy acidity, unctuous, creamy orange, golden raisin Finish: Lush lingering finish WOMC Rating 86 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Drink now through A Retail Price: $13.99/each Special Member Price: $9.49/each Reorder Price: $6.99/each 42% Discount $83.88/case 3

4 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 4 IMPORT SELECTION C ave Extrême is located in Tupungato about 60 miles from Mendoza in one of the best wine regions in Argentina. The area lies at the foothills of the Andes Mountains, a dominant geographic feature that plays an important role in the wine-growing climate. Tupungato is in the Uco Valley where the vineyards rise up the slopes to 3200 feet. These are the highest altitudes at which wines are produced in Mendoza. The extreme temperature differentials from day to night, the dry summers and harsh winters, the altitude, and the slow ripening process make the region coveted for vineyards and wineries. The altitude and climate are especially good for wines with marked acidity, particularly sparkling wines. Cave Extrême was founded in 2002 by a team of professionals who share a passion for excellence and a love of sparkling wine. Their goal is to produce the highest quality Champagnestyle sparkling wine in Mendoza. Cave Extrême s president, Argentinean Jean-Edouard de Rochebouet, has decades of experience internationally in the wine industry. He is also passionate and determined to make the best sparkling wine in Argentina. His long-term and positive relationships with growers guarantee Cave Extrême access to the best Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Chenin Blanc grapes in the Mendoza region. South Extrême Extra Brut is made with hand-harvested Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Chenin Blanc grapes. Fermentation took place with carefully selected French yeasts and low temperatures. After a second fermentation the wines rested on the yeasts for three months for added complexity. The wine was filtered and a sugar mixture added to give its final character. The color is a bright yellow with flashes of green. The medium-sized bubbles rush to the surface and create a soft froth. The aromas of white flowers, tangerines and fresh almonds are clean and pronounced. The palate is medium-dry, fresh with slightly complex fruit and nut flavors leading to a soft and lingering finish. This is wine for toasting and serving with light appetizers such as quiche, seafood canapés and soft cheeses. South Extreme Non-Vintage Extra Brut Mendoza Argentina Color: Bright yellow with flashes of green Nose: White flowers, tangerines, almonds Palate: Medium-dry, fresh, complex fruit, nuts Finish: Soft lingering finish WOMC Rating 86 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Drink through the 2008 holidays, nicely chilled 1208B Retail Price: $12.99/each Special Member Price: $10.29/each Reorder Price: $7.99/each 38% Discount $95.88/case 4

5 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 5 LIMITED SERIES S E L E C T I O N C rémant (creh-mahn) is a French term meaning creaming. It was once used for wines that were mildly sparkling, between petillant and mousseux, with 3.5 to 4.0 atmospheres of pressure in the bottle. (Champagne usually has 6.0 atmospheres of pressure.) Not to be confused with Crémant, Cramant is a village in the Champagne region that produces a Crémant de Cramant. In the late 1980s, the European Union outlawed the term Methode Champenoise. Crémant became the French term for sparkling wines made outside Champagne using the champagne method for wine-making. Crémant de Saumur and Crémant de Vouvray were the first to apply the term. Following were Crémant d Alsace, Crémant de Bordeaux, Crémant de Die, Crémant de Limoux, Crémant de Luxembourg and Cremant de Bourgogne. These all refer to the sparkling wines of the region. The grape varieties and terroir may vary from place to place, but there are certain guidelines they all follow. These guidelines govern whole bunch pressing, maximum yields, maximum sulphur dioxide content, minimum nine months on the lees, and rigorous tasting control. Since 1898 Veuve Ambal has been making wines from grapes grown on the slopes around the village of Rully in Burgundy. When founder Marie Ambal became a widow (Veuve means widow in French) she decided to return to her hometown of Rully. She was energetic, six feet tall and wealthy (her husband was a banker). She set up her own firm, Veuve Ambal, and set the standard for sparkling wine in Burgundy. The firm has continued to produce high quality wines, and today it is a certified organic winery run by her greatgreat-grandson Eric. The 2002 Crémant de Bourgogne is light golden in color with small active bubbles leading to a white froth. The aromas show hints of blackcurrant, grapefruit, vanilla, spice, and cherry blossom. The palate is soft with creamy acidity and a hint of mineral. It has a clean lengthy finish. This is wine for your most festive table; try it with honey-baked ham, roast pork tenderloin and mild cheeses Veuve Ambal Crémant de Bourgogne Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Aligote (shar-doe-nay, pee-no nwah, ah-lee-go-tay) Burgundy France Color: Light golden Nose: Blackcurrant, grapefruit, vanilla spice, cherry blossom Palate: Soft, creamy acidity, mineral, clean Finish: Clean, lengthy WOMC Rating 87 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Ageing Potential: 2 to 5 years L1208C Retail Price: $23.95/each Special Member Price: $19.95/each Reorder Price: $16.95/each 29% Discount $203.40/case 5

6 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 6 N orton Winery was founded in Mendoza, Argentina, in 1895 by an English engineer, Edmund J.P. Norton. He planted his first vineyards with vines imported from France. One hundred years later, Austrian businessman Gernot Langes-Swarvoski traveled to Mendoza and was smitten by the land s beauty and potential. He purchased Norton Winery with one goal: to make wines that would show the world the potential of the region. He brought his son aboard and they have since established Norton as one of the country s most important wineries. The Mendoza climate is hot and humid during the summer with cooling influences from the great Andes Mountains. Late Harvest Chardonnay is harvested much later than Chardonnay in other parts of the world, often in early November. This longer hang time allows the fruit to fully ripen and the sugar levels to rise. When the weather cooperates and stays cool and damp, the grapes are LIMITED SERIES S E L E C T I O N perfect for making late harvest wine. The 2008 vintage in Mendoza offered these conditions, and the team at Norton took full advantage of what nature provided. Gernot Langes- Swarvoski is sincere when he said, We recognize ourselves as instruments of nature. Each of our wines reveals that sum total of our climate, our soil, and our creative passion. All these elements live in every bottle of our wine and are finally shown in the pleasure of those who enjoy it. The Norton 2008 Late Harvest Chardonnay wine pours a beautiful gold color with glints of amber. The intense aromas of floral, honey, baked pear, apricot, nutmeg and cinnamon jump out of the glass to meet you. The palate is soft yet lush with apple, soft honey, hazelnut and sweetness balanced with healthy acidity. This light and sweet dessert wine makes for a delightful finish to any meal. Pair it with dry fruit and blue cheese, crème brulee, apple pie or apricot crepes. (See recipe on page 13.) 2008 Norton Late Harvest Chardonnay (shar-doe-nay) Mendoza Argentina Color: Gold with amber hints Nose: Floral, honey, baked pear, apricot, nutmeg, cinnamon Palate: Rich, mediumbodied, lush apple, soft honey, hazelnut Finish: Lush and lingering WOMC Rating 87 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Ageing potential: 2-5 years L1208D Retail Price: $20.95/each Special Member Price: $19.95/each Reorder Price: $14.95/each 28% Discount $179.40/case 6

7 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 7 LIMITED SERIES E A R L I E R S E L E C T I O N S ITEM # DESCRIPTION REGULAR PRICE/ UNIT DISC. L1208C Brut, Veuve Ambal Crémant $ % $203.40/cs Blackcurrant, grapefruit, vanilla, spice $16.95/ea L1208D Late Harvest Chardonnay, Norton $ % $179.40/cs Honey, baked pear, nutmeg, cinnamon $14.95/ea L1208E Syrah, Two Angels $ % $203.40/cs Ripe raspberry, plum, licorice, smoke $16.95/ea L1208F Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau Bonnet $ % $215.40/cs Floral, citrus, pineapple, mineral $17.95/ea L1108C Bordeaux, Chateau Tour Castillon $ % $179.88/cs Black fruit, roasted coffee, licorice $14.99/ea L1108D Cotes du Rhone, Domaine Martin $ % $167.88/cs Port, plum, anise, black pepper $13.99/ea L1108E Chardonnay, Six Prongs $ % $167.88/cs Gooseberry, kiwi, white pepper $13.99/ea L1108F Sauv. Blanc, Domaine de la Couperie $ % $167.88/cs Candied citrus, honeydew, fennel $13.99/ea L1008C Grenache, Le Chene Noir $ % $215.88/cs Strawberries, raspberries, red currant $17.99/ea L1008D Tempranillo, Beronia $ % $203.88/cs Mocha, toasted bread, coffee, cherry $16.99/ea L1008E Chenin Blanc, Chapelle Sainte Barbe $ % $191.88/cs Pink grapefruit, pineapple, almonds $15.99/ea L1008F Sauvignon Blanc, Lake Chalice $ % $191.88/cs Passion fruit, black currant, citrus $15.99/ea L908C Cabernet Sauvignon, Crescendo $ % $227.88/cs Blackberry, cedar, cinnamon spice $18.99/ea L908D Verdelho, Glendonbrook $ % $143.88/cs Fruit salad, sliced pineapple, pears $11.99/ea L908E Cabernet Sauvignon, Evans & Tate $ % $179.88/cs Cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate $14.99/ea Chardonnay, Bianchi L908F $ % $203.88/cs Meyer lemon, white peach, sweet pear $16.99/ea You must be a Limited Series Member Sub-Total to order Limited Series wines. 8.25% CA Sales Tax S&H TOTAL QTY. MEMBER REORDER PRICE/ CASE/EACH TOTAL 7

8 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 8 REGULAR SERIES E A R L I E R S E L E C T I O N S 8 ITEM # DESCRIPTION REGULAR PRICE/ UNIT DISC. 1208A Orange Muscat, NV. Fiore d Arancio $ % $83.88/cs Vibrant apricot, nectarine, honeysuckle $6.99/ea 1208B Extra Brut Sparkling, NV. South Extreme $ % $95.88/cs White flowers, tangerines, almonds $7.99/ea 1208C Cabernet Sauvignon, Stone Briar $ % $95.88/cs Black fruit, blueberries, cola $7.99/ea 1208D Chardonnay, Granada Creek $ % $83.88/cs Peaches, baked apple, vanilla $6.99/ea 1108A Chardonnay, Las Rocas $ % $83.88/cs Ripe lemon, pineapple, vanilla $6.99/ea 1108B Cab. Sauv., Melanto Terrace $ % $95.88/cs Black fruit, cedar, currants $7.99/ea 1008A Merlot, Lawson Ranch $ % $83.88/cs Blueberries, blackberries, wild cherry $6.99/ea 1008B Torrontes, Baguala $ % $83.88/cs Fragrant,floral, apricot, spice $6.99/ea 908A Sauvignon Blanc, Melanto Terrace $ % $71.88/cs Tropical, herbal spice, cut-grass $5.99/ea Red Willie Blend, Master Peace 908B $ % $83.88/cs Juicy black fruit, hint of earth, pepper $6.99/ea 808A Cab Sauvignon, Sycamore Lane $ % $83.88/cs Fresh red cherries, vanilla, herbal spice $6.99/ea Sauvignon Blanc, La Palma 808B $ % $83.88/cs Citrus, green apples, grapefruit $6.99/ea 708A Sauvignon Blanc, Graffiti $ % $71.88/cs Pineapple, wet stone, Meyer lemon $5.99/ea Malbec, Patio De Tango 708B $ % $83.88/cs Bing cherry, plum, nutmeg $6.99/ea 608A Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillcrest $ % $95.88/cs Black currant, mocha, coffee $7.99/ea Pinot Grigio, Arancio 608B $ % $83.88/cs Magnolia, floral, ripe citrus $6.99/ea Sub-Total 8.25% CA Sales Tax S&H TOTAL QTY. MEMBER REORDER PRICE/ CASE/EACH TOTAL

9 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 9 WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB G I F T O R D E R S GIFT # WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB GIFT MEMBERSHIPS QTY. PRICE TOTAL 10G 2 Bottles Current club selections $33.50* 20G 6 Bottles Assortment of recent selections $79.50* 30G 12 Bottles (1 Case) Assortment of recent selections $147.50* 4GP 4 Month Membership in WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB $118.00* Subscriptions: 2 Bottles (current Club selections) each month for 4 months (8 bottles total). 4QGP 4 Month Membership in WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB $118.00* Subscriptions: 2 Bottles every quarter for one year (8 bottles total). 5GP 6 Month Membership in WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB $175.00* Subscriptions: 2 Bottles (current Club selections) each month for 6 months (12 bottles total). 5BGP 6 Month Membership in WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB $175.00* Subscriptions: 2 Bottles (current Club selections) every other month for 6 months (12 bottles total). 6GP 1 Year Membership in WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB $347.00* Subscriptions: 2 Bottles (current Club selections) each month for 12 months (24 bottles total). LOG 2 Bottles (LIMITED SERIES) Current selections $44.98* LGP 1 Year Membership in WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB $484.76* Subscriptions: 2 Bottles (current Limited Series selections) every month for the next 12 months (24 bottles total). WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB GIFT BASKETS ULTIMATE INDULGENCE This is out-the-door our biggest basket. A stylish stamped metal tub filled with both sweet and savory goodies. Hand picked by our staff in a demoractic vote, each item was selected for out right quality. This gift will absolutely make a huge impression on the recipient. Basket includes: one bottle of 2007 Oak Grove Zinfandel, one bottle 2006 St. Lucas Chardonnay, one bottle 2007 Arancio Pinot Grigio, one bottle 2006 Canyon Oaks Merlot,CaPachios Crackers, White Fudge and Almond Popcorn, Chocolate by numbers, East Shore Pretzels, Miss Scarlet s OliveTapanade, Yurosek Farms Pistachios, Be-Bop Biscotti, Classic VA Peanut Brittle, Roasted Garlic Cheese, Theo Chocolate Phinney Bar,Dolcetto Wafer Cookies, Summer Sausage, Chocolate Earthquake Cake, assorted hard candies. Arrives in a festive red and copper bucket. #UIB $ Free Shipping $ THE CONNOISSEUR We searched to find the perfect six bottle carrying and storage case. Our travels landed this wonderful wood and leather chest. Sure to impress the discriminating wine lover. Gift includes: One bottle each: 2005 Jungle Room Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 Arancio Pinot Grigio,2007 Graffiti Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 Patio De Tango Malbec, 2002 Hillcrest Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 Trewa Syrah, waiters corkscrew and wine pourers. Arrives in our impressive six bottle carrying case. #CONB $99.95 Free Shipping $99.95 WINE AND CHEESE PICNIC It s like a private party in a tote! Everything you need to create your own special picnic with that special someone. Basket includes: One bottle of 2002 Hillcrest Cabernet Sauvignon, one bottle 2005 Andeluna Chardonnay, Northwood s Cheese with Pinot Grigio, The Works Crackers, assorted hard candies. Delivered in our insulated double wine tote complete with cheese board, knife and corkscrew. #WCPB $59.95 Free Shipping $59.95 Add this amount to GIFT ORDER TOTAL on line 1 on Order Form on page 10 GIFT ORDERS TOTAL 1. All wine assortments, as well as the first month of WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB membership, will be handsomely gift boxed. A card will be attached with your greeting. 2 Shipments are made by UPS/Fed Ex/GSO and are guaranteed to arrive in perfect condition. 3. All recipients must be 21 years or older. 4. If any of the items to be included is out of inventory, we guarantee that we will substitute a product of equal or superior quality. Call us for weekend delivery. *Gift wrapping included. 9

10 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 10 WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB TOTAL ORDER INFORMATION SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIFT ORDERS Please Ship Gift # to: Name (please print) Address (We do not ship to P. O. Boxes) City State ZIP Special note on gift card: Please Ship Gift # to: Name (please print) Address (We do not ship to P. O. Boxes) City State ZIP Special note on gift card: Attach another sheet of paper to list other recipients All WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB gifts are guaranteed to arrive in perfect condition gift boxed and with a gift card. ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS GIFT ORDER TOTAL WOMC EARLIER SELECTIONS TOTAL LIMITED SERIES MEMBERSHIP LIMITED SERIES EARLIER SELECTIONS TOTAL 8.25% CA Sales Tax Shipping and Handling GRAND TOTAL Check enclosed for $. Make check payable to: Wine of the Month Club. Charge my: VISA Mastercard AmEx Discover Card # Exp. Date / / Name (Please Print) Signature Shipping Address (We do not ship to P. O. Boxes) City State Zip Phone (day) Phone (evening) Address 10 SHIPPING AND HANDLING FOR EARLIER SELECTION ORDERS Number CA Average of Bottles Shipping Out of State Shipping 1 2 $7.58 $ $9.46 $ $11.46 $ $13.36 $ $14.71 $ $16.16 $28.11 Please call for shipping prices outside CA in states where permissible. To order by phone call TOLL FREE WINE ( ) Monday Friday 8 am 5 pm (Pacific Time) To order by mail or fax please complete this order form. FAX (24 hours a day) Or mail to: WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB P.O. Box , Arcadia, CA Or shop online at:

11 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 11 LIMITED SERIES T A S T I N G N O T E S BRUT, VEUVE AMBAL CRÉMANT Date Tested Color Nose Taste Tracking Notes LATE HARVEST CHARDONNAY, NORTON Date Tested Color Nose Taste Tracking Notes CELLAR NOTES A report on how previous LIMITED SERIES Selections are faring with age. Obtained from actual tastings on wines under cellar conditions and/or vintner, importer or wholesaler surveys. December 2004 December 2005 December 2006 December 2007 Champagne, NV. Henri Abele. Drink up. Madeira, NV. Broadbent. Drink or hold. Prosecco, NV. Fantinel. Drink now. Port, Presidential. Drink through Brut Reserve, NV. Bailly Lapierre. Drink up. Recioto Barbera, Bonny Doon. Drink or hold. Sparkling Brut, NV. Moingeon Drink up. Banyuls, NV. L Etoile. Drink or hold. WOMC WINE RATING SCHEDULE : Classic in all senses. Nose, mouth feel, varietal indications : Quality wine with redeeming value. Worth every penny : Great value for the quality. Great example of what the wine should be considering terrior, grape and price : For the price and quality, the wine is good but no over redeeming value : Poor value for the price and not even worth the alcohol content. 69 or Less: If you dump it, you ll be charged for toxic clean-up. 11

12 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 12 Gift Assortments Celebrate any occasion with Special Gifts for friends, family and business associates. Visit our website at for gift baskets, gift memberships and various wine assortments. Give a Wine of the Month Club special gift and you will be the toast of the celebration! MEMBER COMMENTS Have been very satisfied! Gave up our membership in a club at the local wine shop W.O., MT. VERNON, NH We LOVE you guys. You always have outstanding wines at a great price! C.K., DANA POINT, CA Have never been disappointed! R.S., APPLETON, WI Consistently good value. J.L., SAN DIEGO,CA Love this membership! We get excited to see our wine every month! V.P., VANCOUVER, WA WOMC is superior to any other wine club I have been involved with. L.K., KANSAS CITY, MO 12

13 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 13 ADVENTURES IN GOOD FOOD Stuffed chicken is a traditional holiday meal; made even more special served with South Extreme Brut Sparkling. This is enough stuffing for a 4-5 lb. chicken. CHICKEN STUFFING INGREDIENTS: 2-1/2 cups soft, fine breadcrumbs 1 c. poultry gizzards, finely chopped 1/2 cup butter 1/3 tsp salt 1/3 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp sage 1/2 tsp paprika 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, finely minced 1/2 cup mushrooms, finely chopped 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 chicken bouillon cube 1/2 cup water PREPARATION: In medium saucepan, sauté gizzards, onion, garlic, parsley, mushrooms, and seasonings lightly in butter, approximately 2 minutes. Do not brown. Add egg and bouillon to water, mix well, and add to sauce pan. Stir to combine. Cover and steam over the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Stuff the chicken immediately before cooking. If you refrigerate the stuffed bird, the center will not become cold enough to stop bacteria from developing, so do not stuff poultry before refrigerating. If you must have the stuffing ready to go in advance, then you can place it in a separate loaf pan and cover with foil, refrigerate, and cook separately. The holiday season gives us reason to try new things. How about apricot crepes on a Sunday morning with a glass of Norton Late Harvest Chardonnay? It s just as tasty after dinner, too. APRICOT CREPES INGREDIENTS: 1 c. flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1 1/4 c. milk 2 eggs 2 Tbsp. melted oil PREPARATION: Combine flour, salt, and milk in blender at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, beat well, stir in oil. Refrigerate at least an hour or over night. Spray a 6 frying pan with cooking spray. Pour 2 tablespoons of batter for each crepe, making one at a time. Brown on each side. Remove to warming towel. Stack crepes between layers of wax paper. FILLING: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/4 c. butter, softened 1/4 c. sugar 1 tsp. lemon rind Cream filling ingredients to a soft spreading consistency. SAUCE: 2/3 c. apricot jam 1/3 c. orange juice 2 Tbsp. butter 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind Combine sauce ingredients and heat gently. Spread each crepe with 1 to 2 Tbsp of filling, then fold in quarters and arrange in a circular pattern in a buttered oven-proof dish. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Serve with warmed sauce. 13

14 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 14 REGULAR SERIES T A S T I N G N O T E S ORANGE MUSCAT, NV. FIORE D ARANCIO Date Tested Color Nose Taste EXTRA BRUT SPARKLING, NV. SOUTH EXTREME Date Tested Color Nose Taste Tracking Notes Tracking Notes CELLAR NOTES A report on how previous REGULAR SERIES Selections are faring with age. Obtained from actual tastings on wines under cellar conditions and/or vintner, importer or wholesaler surveys. December 2004 Late Harvest Riesling, Renaissance. Drink now. Sparkling Wine, NV. Chase-Limogere. Drink now. December 2005 Sparkling Wine, NV. la Delizia. Drink now. Syrah Port, Bodega de Leon. Drink or hold. December 2006 Sparkling Brut, NV. Rime. Drink up. Muscat Canneli, Maddalena. Drink or hold. December 2007 Sparkling Brut, NV. Toso. Drink now. Port, NV. Montonico. Drink or hold. MEMBER INQUIRY Making Champagne is a long, intense, methodical, process. Hence, the prices are steep for outstanding Champagnes. As with still wine, the process begins in the vineyard, as the growers select the fruit at optimal ripeness. The grapes are harvested, pressed, and fermented. Most Champagne is skillfully blended at this stage. Next the wine is bottled. A second fermentation takes place in the bottle as the Champagne is aged 18 months to three years. After ageing, the labor-intense riddling and Why are some Champagne and sparkling wines sweeter than others? B.B., MORROW BAY, CA disgorging processes remove the sediments from the bottle. A sugar-wine mixture called a dosage is added just before final corking. This mixture determines how sweet or dry Champagne will be. The label indicates the level of sweetness. Brut wines are bone dry to almost dry with less than 1.5% sugar. Extra Sec or Extra Dry wines are slightly sweeter with % sugar. Sec will give you a medium sweet glass with % sugar. Demi-Sec is sweet with % sugar. Finally, the sweetest Champagnes, Doux, are very sweet with over 5.0% sugar. The last two are considered dessert wines. Be careful when removing the cork. Cheers! 14

15 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 15 SIGN UP AFRIEND AND... RECEIVE A SET OF SWAROVSKY WINE CHARMS To join the WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB, just fill in and return this NEW MEMBER ACCEPTANCE FORM YES. Sign me up for the Wine of the Month Club and then send me my first month s selection of two specially chosen wines. I understand that each month I will receive additional wines but I may cancel my membership at any time with no further obligation. My monthly cost for the two-bottle wine selection will be $19.85 (one red and one white) plus sales tax and $7.58 for shipping and handling. (Outside California, slightly higher.) MUST BE OVER 21 YEARS OLD TO ENROLL. Each month, you will receive 2 specially selected wines, one red and one white. However, if you would prefer ONLY WHITE or ONLY RED (slightly higher), please check the appropriate box below. You will receive 2 identical bottles of selected red or white wine each month. I prefer WHITE WINE only. I prefer RED WINE only. PAYMENT Prices subject to change. BY CREDIT CARD Charge my monthly wine purchase to my credit card, and enclose the copy of the invoice in my monthly wine shipment. American Express Discover MasterCard VISA Card # Exp. Date / / BY CHECK Please bill me monthly. Enclose the invoice in my shipment of wine. I understand the next month s selection will not be sent until I pay the current one. I am enclosing the required one month s deposit of $28.50 which you will apply to my final shipment when I decide to cancel. Check # Amount $ Name (Please Print) Signature (NECESSARY FOR CREDIT CARD ORDERS) Shipping Address (We do not ship to P. O. Boxes) City State Zip ( ) ( ) Phone (day) Phone (evening) Address Important delivery information: We can ship to CA, CO, ID, IL, MO, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OR, TX, WI, WV, WY. Shipments cannot be made to a Post Office box. If an adult is not regularly at this address during normal United Parcel Service/Federal Express delivery hours, please specify a neighbor s, or office address, for the shipments. Mail this enrollment to: WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB, PO Box , Arcadia, CA All WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB wines are fully guaranteed. You may cancel your membership at any time. Call toll-free WINE 8 am - 5 pm PST or fax 24 hours

16 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 16 WORD ON THE STREET Our shipping prices are the lowest in the business! Only $7.48 to ship 2-bottles! WineInsiders.com Holmes, PA ~ $8.95 California Wine Club Camarillo, CA ~ $13.00 Finewine.com McLean, VA ~ $12.95 All Corked Up Santa Clarita, CA ~$13.00 Wally s Wines Los Angeles, CA ~ $11.00 FOR MEMBERS ONLY... Can t find it? Gotta have it? We source wine from all over the world. Special vintages for birthdays, anniversaries, you name it. We also have access to old and rare cellars. Let us help you find a rare wine. Call or us with your rare wine specifications and let us do the work. We can t guarantee we ll find it, but we can guarantee a great effort. YOURS FREE! Discover the Limited Series now and receive a set of Swarovski Crystal Wine Charms FREE! Here s a charming idea for your next party or dinner. Slip one of these attractive wine charms around the stem of each person s glass. Designed with a wine theme, each charm is different so your guests will know they aren t mistakenly picking up someone else s glass. Made from pewter and worldfamous Swarovski crystal beads from Austria, the charms are yours FREE just for trying the Limited Series. A $24.95 value. Join now and receive a set of Swarovski Wine Charms free. Sign me up for THE LIMITED SERIES Each month $40.00 plus tax and $7.58 shipping & handling. (Outside of California, slightly higher). 2 bottles each month. Free membership, guaranteed wines, cancel anytime. Red wine only. (Slightly higher) White wine only. One red, one white. Please fill out information on the last page of this Order Form. LIMITED SERIES TOTAL 16 Add this amount to Limited Series MEMBERSHIP TOTAL on line ➂ on Order Form, page 10

17 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 17 DOMESTIC SELECTION C abernet Sauvignon is always ranked as the wine of choice when selecting a red wine with dinner. For many wine drinkers it s the only wine they choose, no matter what the food or the occasion. Fortunately, the grapes are easily cultivated all over the world because both the grapes and the vines are hardy and resilient. There are large plantings in California, France, Chile, Australia, Argentina, Italy, and even Eastern Europe. The best examples of cabernet wines are wellstructured, complex, and full-bodied with mouth puckering tannins and dark licorice and cassis fruit flavors. Besides Barolo from a great year, these are the longest-lived of all wines. These are the grapes with the classic taste that make Bordeaux a Bordeaux. California is also known for Cabernet Sauvignon, and Lodi is considered an emerging jewel of California wine regions. The Lodi wine country is nestled between the San Francisco Bay area and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The climate is classic Mediterranean with warm days and cool, pleasant evenings. Winemaker Phillip Zorn is an internationally respected winemaker with many years of experience. He was born in the United States but raised in Germany. After graduating from Germany s top enology school, he began working for one of Germany s top wineries. In 1984, he returned to the US and has made wine at some top-notch wineries including Sunny St. Helena, Gauer Estates, Paraiso Springs, and Tria. His Stone Briar Cabernet Sauvignon is full of flavor yet soft and supple. It pours a deep ruby red color. Black fruit, blueberries, red licorice, and cola greet you at the nose. The wine is dry, full-bodied with bold flavors of red fruits, and it carries moderate tannins to a fairly long finish. Try this wine with beef dishes, pork tenderloin, and strong cheeses Stone Briar Cabernet Sauvignon (kah-bur-nay sawveehn-yawn) California Color: Deep ruby red Nose: Black fruit, blueberries, licorice, cola Palate: Dry, full-bodied, bold flavors, red fruit, moderate tannins Finish: Fairly long finish WOMC Rating 87 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Drink through the holidays and through C Retail Price: $12.99/each Special Member Price: $9.99/each Reorder Price: $7.99/each 38% Discount $95.88/case

18 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 18 DOMESTIC SELECTION M onterey, California, has a longestablished reputation for growing awesome Chardonnay. Monterey County has more than 16,000 acres of beautiful vineyards planted with Chardonnay vines. This is more than any other California county. The cool air of Monterey is most often cited as the reason why the grapes ripen perfectly year after year. The cool air comes off Monterey Bay in the north. In addition to the cool growing season, Monterey has moderate winters. Early bud break and a long cool growing season are factors that are very agreeable to growing quality Chardonnay grapes. Most winemakers agree with winemaker Annette Hoff who says, I can t say I ve seen anything as consistent as Monterey Chardonnay, Another winemaker, David Coventry, says, It is climate first. Dean De Lorth, a winemaker from Burgundy says, There s a real similarity to Burgundy. The Monterey AVA, (American Viticultural Area) is more than 90 miles long; hence there are variations in growing conditions. Still, the consistency with all the wines from under $15 to the most expensive selections is notable. You don t need to dress these wines up with heavy oak and full malolactic fermentation; they are really nice without them. Chardonnay is planted throughout the world and is the number-one-selling white grape varietal with good reason. It is delicious and easy on the palate, works with many different foods, and has prices to fit every wine lover s budget. Granada Creek Chardonnay is a bright yellow straw color. It graces the nose with aromas of toast & spice, floral, peaches, baked apples and vanilla. The palate is perfectly balanced with fruit-driven flavors of peach and apple with healthy acidity and soft oak. The clean and refreshing finish makes it a great match with shellfish, vegetarian meals, pasta with white sauce, and roast pork Granada Creek Chardonnay (shar-doe-nay) Monterey California Color: Bright yellow straw Nose: Floral, peaches, baked apple, vanilla Palate: Dry, mediumbodied, fruit driven, crisp acidity Finish: Clean refreshing finish WOMC Rating 86 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Drink now through D Retail Price: $11.99/each Special Member Price: $9.99/each Reorder Price: $6.99/each 41% Discount $83.88/case

19 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 19 H igh Valley is a relatively new American Viticultural Area in the eastern part of Lake County, California. The valley is situated on high elevations ranging from 1700 to 3000 feet. Cool marine breezes gently blow across the vineyards, making it the coolest valley in Lake County. The Vineyards along the ridges of the Round Mountains are warmer and provide near perfect conditions for Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Within this region are some of the oldest vines in California; there are 15 Zinfandel vines planted by the Ogulin family in The area was founded by the Ogulin family who immigrated from Slovenia in the 1850s. Harold Ogulin is the family s third generation, and he still tends the vineyards on the ridge. The grapes for Two Angels Syrah come from the famed Shannon Ridge Vineyards. The soil is volcanic, red pumice stone. The vineyards hug the mountains along the east end at 2200 feet the highest vineyards in California. The vineyard bears a strong resemblance to the Rhone Valley's Crozes- Hermitage vineyards. Two LIMITED SERIES S E L E C T I O N Angels is committed to the land it shares with the mountain s creatures, including bears, elk, mountain lions, and eagles. All the vineyards were designed to leave walkways for migrating animals and to protect nesting areas. Of the 1000 acres on the ranch, only 60 to 70% is cultivated. The balance is preserved for wildlife. The art for Two Angels wine was drawn in 1591 by Jacob Backer. It symbolizes the hilarity of inebriation and the trauma of the morning after. Excessive joy must be countered by equally excessive sorrow, with penitent atonement for pleasure. Two Angels Syrah has captured awards at international wine competitions and has received rave reviews by wine experts. After ten months in French oak, the wine shows a deep purple violet color. The aromas abound with ripe raspberry, huckleberry, plum and licorice. The palate is supple with toasty oak, black cherry preserves, and healthy fruit and oak tannins. This wine is delicious now but will cellar nicely for 3 to 4 years Two Angels Syrah (seer-ah) High Valley California Color: Deep purple violet Nose: Ripe raspberry, plum, licorice Palate: Supple, toasty oak, black cherry preserves Finish: Round and lingering WOMC Rating 86 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Drink now slightly chilled, through 2009 L1208E Retail Price: $29.95/each Special Member Price: $19.95/each Reorder Price: $16.95/each 43% Discount $203.40/case

20 WOMC-News /17/08 11:19 AM Page 20 E ntre-deux-mers is located across from the Graves, on the right bank situated between the Garonne and the Dordogne Rivers. Hence, the name, Entre-Deux-Mers, which translated means between two seas. They are not exactly seas, but large and mighty rivers controlled by the Atlantic tides. This is a vast growing region covered with exceptional soils with sand, clay, limestone and gravel. The region is especially known for its superb quality white wines. About 15 million bottles are produced per year, and these are mostly white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle grapes. The uncontested queen is Sauvignon Blanc. Chateau Bonnet lies to the north of Entre-Deux-Mers on clay-chalk soil in the commune of Grezillac. The estate dates back to the 17th century and has changed hands several times. Most recently, Vintner Leonce Recapet bought the estate to realize a life-long dream to make wine. He successfully ran the estate in spite of mildew, oidium, and LIMITED SERIES S E L E C T I O N Phylloxera. Because of his determination, the estate became one of the finest in the region. In 1956, his grandson Andre Lurton inherited the estate and since followed in his grandfather s footsteps of making excellent wines. Denis Galabert is the enologist at Chateau Bonnet. He is well-known and respected throughout France. The grapes were hand-sorted and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. There the wine rested for four months on the lees for added complexity. The blend is 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon and 10% Muscadelle. It pours a beautiful green color with glints of gold. The nose shows floral, citrus, pineapple, and grapefruit aromas. The palate is dry and crisp with lively acidity and complex pear, citrus and mineral. The finish is clean and lingering. Chateau Bonnet is best drunk young and chilled as a delicious aperitif, or with oysters, shellfish, cold cuts, and light meats Andre Lurton Chateau Bonnet Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon/ Muscadelle (saw-veen-yawn blahn/sheme-ahn/moo-skah-del) Entre-Deux-Mers France Color: Green with gold hints Nose: Floral, citrus, pineapple, grapefruit Palate: Dry, crisp, lively, complex pear, citrus, mineral Finish: Clean lingering finish WOMC Rating 87 Points CELLARING SUGGESTIONS Drink now through 2009 L1208F Retail Price: $21.95/each Special Member Price: $19.95/each Reorder Price: $17.95/each 18% Discount $215.40/case